My partner, like many others, has found himself trapped in the unwarranted reality of being stranded hundreds of miles away from his loved ones due to restrictive regulations and lack of facilities. He is currently placed in Evansville, Indiana, an over five-hour drive from his intended release address in Decatur. The lengthy distance renders short-term 12-hour passes virtually impossible and 48-hour furloughs nonexistent. This situation significantly undermines his prospects for successful rehabilitation.

Within Indiana, halfway houses and re-entry programs are virtually non-existent north of Indianapolis, leaving a vast region devoid of important transitional institutions. The Bureau of Prisons and Volunteers of America maintain a rule that inmates should live or be released to within 100 miles of their halfway house. However, with no such facilities in Northern Indiana, this essentially denies many beneficiaries access to their families and support groups who are vital for successful reintegration.

The establishment of more halfway houses and re-entry programs in Northern Indiana would not only offer the much-needed geographical balance but would also ensure that inmates like my partner have the best chance at re-entry success. This is not just about my partner; it's about the many indomitable spirits navigating a similar plight and the countless others who may follow suit. We need to do more! We need to adopt a system that ensures accessibility is no longer a barrier to successful reentry.

Please sign this petition to urge our legislators and influencers to take the necessary steps to establish halfway houses and re-entry programs for Northern Indiana residents.